Different Objectives in Soccer for Cuba and the U.S.A.

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 8 (acn) German Jürgen Klinsmann and Raul Mederos, head coaches of the soccer teams of the United States and Cuba, respectively, commented on their goals for the friendly match held on Friday at Havana's Pedro Marrero Stadium.

"There is a big difference between playing at home and doing it away. But we thank the Cuban soccer federation by inviting us to play this match, which we will use as training for the start of the CONCACAF final round," Klinsmann said.
The former German international player, world champion in Italy 90, was referring to the upcoming participation in the CONCACAF tournament, which will grant three tickets for the Russia 2018 World Cup. And in this match we could see on the field the game system he plans to use in that vital WC qualifying competition.
Meanwhile, Mederos said he trained a group of young players, but did not have the amount of days needed to put them in the best physical shape and work on other tactical issues.
"The coaching staff asks them to play without pressure. Losing makes no difference because the United States is a favorite, but we all want to create a good impression in the fans, beyond the final score, asserted Mederos, who this year won the Cuban championship with Villa Clara.
The last match between teams of the U.S. and Cuba was held on September 6, 2008, when the first won 1-0 with a goal by Clint Dempsey, who won't be present this time due to injury, in the group stage of the South Africa 2010 qualifiers.